First principles modeling of precision and traceability in ICP-MS analysis

Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is subject to several noise sources that are unique among mass spectrometry systems. These noise terms can be modeled in fully-calibrated measurement routine simulations to predict, quantify, and address major uncertainty sources for optimizing isotope ratio determinations. This work 1) highlights the minimal contribution of intrinsic uncertainties when calibrating with a certified reference material, and 2) emphasizes the critical role of noise mitigation in non-traceable measurement regimes. The approach detailed here is applicable to other detector and source configurations, providing a valuable framework for improving precision in mass spectrometric analyses.